Asturias/Cantabria

Question 1

1. During the Iron Age the Asturias/Cantabria area was settled by _____
2. What are “castros”?
3. What battle marked the beginning of the Reconquista?

Answer 1

1. Celts
2. Fortified hilltop towns
3. Battle of Covadonga in 722

Question 2

1. Where did the monks in the 9th century find the optimal places for vines in Asturias and Cantabria?
2. What title is awarded to the heir of the Spanish throne?
3. Where did a big plague at turn of 16th century occur?

Answer 2

1. Asturias- deep river valleys of SW (Cangas). Cantabria- near coast and mountains
2. Principe de Asturias (Prince of Asturias)
3. Santander, carried by ship, killed 600-700K

Question 3

1. Where was one of the centers of the Spanish enlightenment in the 18th century?
2. What did Franco refer to Asturias as?
3. What happened one June 19, 1959?

Answer 3

1. Asturias
2. “Province of Oviedo”
3. Huge hailstorm, no grape harvest for 3 years. Coal industry lured many grape growers.

Question 4

1. Capital of Asturias? Largest city?
2. What forms the northern border of Asturias and Catabria?
3. Capital of Cantabria?

Answer 4

1. Oviedo, Gijon (273K)
2. The Cantabrian Sea (southern Bay of Biscay)
3. Santander (183K, largest city)

Question 5

1. Asturia/Cantabria climate?

2. What is the Foehn effect? where does it affect in Spain?

Answer 5

1. Maritime
2. Air forced upwards by mountain, expands/cools, causes rain in upwind area, drying condition on downwind side. Affects vineyards in Green Spain near Cordillera Cantabrica

Question 6

1. What is the highest mountain range in the Cordillera Cantabrica? Where does form a natural border with? What is the highest peak?

Answer 6

1. Picos de Europa, Castilla y Leon, Torrecerredo (8688 ft)

Question 7

1. Asturias soils?

2. Cantabria soils? What are the fertile soils famous for?

Answer 7

1. Limestone mountain ranges-> slate soils

2. Limestone mountains-> valley floor with shale and sandstone. Sidra (apple cider)

Question 8

Asturias:

1. red or white dominant?
2. main red grapes (3), white (1)
3. What is the only quality wine region?

Answer 8

1. Red (2/3)
2. Mencia, Albarin Tinto, Carrasquin. Albarin Blanco
3. VC Cangas

Question 9

Cantabria:

1. red or white dominant?

Answer 9

1. white in the north, almost all local. reds inland, local and international grapes